Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Kiké Hernandez: Dodgers Have ‘Every Right To Celebrate’ After Clinching 7th Consecutive NL West Title
Dodgers News

Kiké Hernandez: Dodgers Have ‘Every Right To Celebrate’ After Clinching 7th Consecutive NL West Title

Matthew Moreno
September 10, 2019
4 Min Read
Matt Beaty, Kiké Hernandez, A.J. Pollock and Chris Taylor celebrate after a Los Angeles Dodgers win
Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

With the Arizona Diamondbacks dropping their series opener against the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers enter Tuesday in position to formally clinch a seventh consecutive National League West title.

A win against the Baltimore Orioles will allow the Dodgers to celebrate at Camden Yards, but should they fall short, a Diamondbacks loss would also punch their ticket to the postseason. Regardless of how it comes to fruition, the long-anticipated conclusion will become a reality this week.

Division titles have largely become a footnote for the Dodgers at this point. They splashed around in the pool at Chase Field in 2013 but recent celebrations have been much calmer. An exception to that was last season, when the Dodgers needed a Game 163 to be crowned NL West champions.

While winning the division is an expectation for most, Kiké Hernandez reasoned a celebration remains worthwhile because of both the accomplishment and younger players on the Dodgers roster this season, as seen on SportsNet LA:

“There’s some guys that have never done it before. As you can see throughout the division, that’s why only team wins the division every year. Being able to do it year after year is not an easy feat. Our goal going into Spring Training is to win a World Series, but we can’t win a World Series without winning the division or Wild Card to get into the playoffs. It’s a 162-game season, so if you win the division you have every right to celebrate winning the division, because that’s just step one of the big picture.”

Eight players made their MLB debut with the Dodgers this season, and of those, Matt Beaty, Tony Gonsolin, Gavin Lux, Dustin May, Josh Sborz and Will Smith remain on the active roster. So too is A.J. Pollock, albeit a veteran, but someone who has been on the wrong end of the Dodgers’ reign.

While L.A. has long been poised to win another NL West title, their focus has also gone to getting healthy in time for the postseason and jockeying for home-field advantage through the World Series.

At present time they would only have such through the NL playoffs. Though, even the Dodgers’ lead in the league standings has been cut into due their recent slide coinciding with the Atlanta Braves’ hot streak.

Multiple players have highlighted the importance of homefield, and so has Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, but as a result of play on the field. “That’s certainly something you’re eyeing to increase your chances of winning a championship,” he acknowledged.

“But that is a byproduct of playing good baseball. You’re playing against yourselves and challenging yourselves to pitch well, to catch the baseball, take good at-bats, play the game the way fans expect you to play. I think we do a very good job of that as far as our intent every single night.

“We’re very competitive ourselves. I think if you look at it from that lens, it’s easier to move forward regardless of the standings or who we’re playing. And I say that because our goal is to go out there and play a clean baseball game every night.

“Pitch well, catch the baseball, take quality at-bats and run the bases. When we do that, regardless of opponent, it shouldn’t matter where we’re at in the standings or how many games of a lead we have. When you have that mindset, there’s always room to get better, room for improvement.”

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Kiké HernándezLos Angeles Dodgers
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers
Video

Dodgers Highlights: Yasiel Puig Hits Home Run In First Game Off Disabled List Against Braves

July 29, 2018
July 29, 2018
Dave Roberts, 2024 MLB Winter Meetings
Dodgers News

Dave Roberts Answered Question About Dodgers Lineup During Juan Soto Free Agency Meeting

December 16, 2024
December 16, 2024
Cody Bellinger, Dodgers Nike City Connect jersey
FeaturedRumors

MLB Rumors: Nike City Connect Uniforms Planned For All 30 Teams By End Of 2023

November 1, 2021
November 1, 2021
Dave-roberts-chase-utley
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: With Chase Utley Set To Return Vs. Mets, Dave Roberts Jokes About Giving Fans ‘What They Want’

June 21, 2018
June 21, 2018

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어